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Senate Passes Capital Bill -- Galesburg Projects Included
One vote down. One to go. The Illinois Senate has passed a $26 billion building and construction plan, which the House could take up as early as Thursday. The plan would raise alcohol taxes, increase drivers license and vehicle title fees, and legalize video poker jackpots. Borrowed dollars and federal money will also be used.

The plan is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs that senators say will help the economy and therefore help the ailing state operating budget. Although Gov. Pat Quinn insisted that the operating budget be passed first -- complete with a 50 percent income tax rate hike -- the Senate says passing the capital plan will help lawmakers feed numbers into the operating budget proposal.

Of the senators voting against, 10 were Republicans and two were Democrats.

Galesburg-area projects are included in the capital plan, including $17.5 million for railroad grade separations on North Seminary Street and West Main Street, and another nearly $3 million for Knox College.

(WGIL/Illinois Radio Network)
05 20 09 by Newsroom
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